Is it possible to edit HD with external USB 2.0 hard drive? at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > Windows / PC Post Production Solutions > What Happens in Vegas...

What Happens in Vegas...
...stays in Vegas! This PC-based editing app is a safe bet with these tips.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old July 16th, 2009, 03:51 AM   #1
Major Player
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 642
Is it possible to edit HD with external USB 2.0 hard drive?

I've just finished shooting a documentary project in HD format. The project was shot with a Sony PMW-EX1. There is about 600 GB of material currently stored on an external LaCie 1TB USB 2.0 hard drive which will be delivered to me in a couple of days. I will be working with this material using Vegas 9 - to view, log and possibly make a couple of rough assemblies - before going to edit the material with an editor.


The question is if I will be able to work on the project using this hard drive. I know that it is recommended to use hard drives with SATA, e-SATA or firewire connections rather than USB 2.0. But before I make my case and demand that the material should all be transferred to a new hard drive with different interface (which will have to be bought) - I really need to know exactly what the consequences would be if I were to try and edit the material on Vegas using the LaCie drive.

Here is a page with the information on the LaCie drive:
LaCie - Desktop Hard Disk - Hi-Speed USB 2.0

Looking forward to your replies...

Thanks!
Adi Head is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 16th, 2009, 05:55 AM   #2
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 87
I edit my footage using a western digital mybook external usb2 harddrive so I would say it should not be a problem, if you were the only one accessing the drive.
James McBoyle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 16th, 2009, 06:38 AM   #3
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Windsor, ON Canada
Posts: 2,770
Ditto on that. I use a lot of external USB hard drives at work with no problems at all.
Mike Kujbida is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 16th, 2009, 09:07 AM   #4
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 8,425
Has anyone edited a three/four camera shoot using Ultimate S muliticam of HD footage on a USB drive? Does that work as well?
Jeff Harper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 17th, 2009, 12:03 AM   #5
Major Player
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 642
thanks for the replies.
so i'll wait for the LaCie USB drive to arrive and try it out.

thanks!
Adi Head is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 20th, 2009, 09:44 AM   #6
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 183
If you had the option of using eSATA that would of course be the best way to go.

Grab one of these: Newegg.com - Thermaltake BlacX ST0005U External Hard Drive SATA Enclosure Docking Station 2.5” & 3.5” USB 2.0 & eSATA - External Enclosures

Put a standard SATA drive in and plug it in with the included eSATA connector. Then store the drives in a plastic case like this:
WiebeTech Micro Storage Solutions - Protective Hard Drive Cases

You can actually use this method to edit and store your footage.

-Jonathan
Jonathan Gentry is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 20th, 2009, 10:27 AM   #7
Major Player
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 642
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jonathan Gentry View Post
If you had the option of using eSATA that would of course be the best way to go.

Grab one of these: Newegg.com - Thermaltake BlacX ST0005U External Hard Drive SATA Enclosure Docking Station 2.5” & 3.5” USB 2.0 & eSATA - External Enclosures

Put a standard SATA drive in and plug it in with the included eSATA connector. Then store the drives in a plastic case like this:
WiebeTech Micro Storage Solutions - Protective Hard Drive Cases

You can actually use this method to edit and store your footage.

-Jonathan
Hey Jonathan, thanks for the info. Yah, actually I already have an external hard drive similar to the setup you described. But there's another project sitting on that drive currently.
Anyway, the usb drive was delivered to me, I made a few tests... and so far it seems to be ok.

thanks!
Adi Head is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 20th, 2009, 11:42 AM   #8
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Philippines
Posts: 129
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Harper View Post
Has anyone edited a three/four camera shoot using Ultimate S muliticam of HD footage on a USB drive? Does that work as well?
I have. But I didn't use Ultimate S. I used only the Sony Vegas 8.0c multicam feature. All four hdv files (hv-20, hv-30, A1, hc3). It's no different as editing it from a local internal drive. It's ok. It's just that if the final video is long (e.g. 15 min and up), it does take a while to get the timeline all freshen up during startup or initial load. Other than that I don't see much difference from a local access vs an external usb 2.0 drive.

BTW, I used a Q8200 Oc'd to 3.0ghz 4gb RAM, ati hd 3850, win-xp 32-bit sp-2 setup and the data is on an external Seagate 1.5TB usb 2.0 drive.
Mel Enriquez is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > Windows / PC Post Production Solutions > What Happens in Vegas...

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:09 AM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network